Victorian "Black Saturday" Bushfires. Car pile-up in Kinglake. *****VIEWER WARNING!!!!****

VIEWER WARNING!!! The deceased are still in these vehicles, so if you are offended or easily upset, please do not watch!!!!!!!!!

This video is shot while returning home from a 20+ hour shift fighting the Black Saturday bushfires on 7th February 2009 in Victoria, Australia. People tried to run from the fire in their vehicles, but due to smoke, collided and burned. At least 6 people died in these cars, including children. The deceased are still in the vehicles, although, their remains are almost unrecognisable.


This video documents part of my experience fighting the Black Saturday bushfires on the 7th February 2009 in Victoria, Australia. I was part of the crew on Nth Warrandyte tanker 2, and part of str...
This video documents part of my experience fighting the Black Saturday bushfires on the 7th February 2009 in Victoria, Australia. I was part of the crew on Nth Warrandyte tanker 2, and part of strike team 1364. We were assigned to protect property and people on a ridge just outside of St Andrews. We broke open a door and sheltered a family inside the house.

The house caught fire, but we were able to save it, and the family inside. My truck was caught in a burn-over when flames erupted from trees behind us, severely burning one of my crew on his arm and hand. I suffered facial burns myself. That was the single most terrifying experience of my life. I am grateful for the training and quick actions of myself and my crew (Daisy, Glen, Scott and Will) that saved us from further severe burns and possible death.

We tried to stop the fire jumping a road, but it was impossible due to 100+km/h winds and 48 deg celcius temps. The fire jumped the road and raced through the forest, destroying houses and killing people inside. My team did it's very best to save as many people as possible, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough.

My team was then the first team to make it to Kinglake. The fire front had just passed, and we had to clear the road using a grader, as it was blocked with burning trees and burning vehicles with people, including children, dead inside. It was an horrific experience. Kinglake was levelled, with homes burning and people dead inside them. I can only describe it as like the images you see of Hiroshima.

I worked a 20+ hour shift with my strike team, trying to protect the remaining residents and buildings from further harm.

All of the CFA members in my team, and all of the rest of the CFA worked indescribably hard to save as many people and properties as possible, but unfortunately, everything was against us.

My thoughts are with the people and families who's lives, homes and pets we were unable to save.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• victorian
• bushfires
• cfa
• warrandyte
• st
• andrews
• kinglake
• black
• saturday

[flashbelle]

bless you, you did all you could RIP those poor souls that could not escape

[ginni1965]

I wish you "Angels" the CFA, eventually peace in mind after such a terrifying ordeal to know that if not for your incredible fearlessness, courage, love and care for the lives of these communities, that it would have been far far worse, you have put your own lives in unfathomable danger and many many people owe you their lives today..... It was an unpredictable fire tornado, unlike ever seen before, and so we surround you, and all your team with our gratitude and love for everything, thank you

[ImSoOffended]

***reads video description** I'm SO offended...

[bannder2626]

Thank You just Thank You RIP all Those People Who Didn't Make It and There familys thanks guys you have been a help to save all those people good job

[HGT1998]

MCKENZIE BUCHANAN!! R.I.P the skate park in yea's for u !!!!! we all miss u xxxx Kinglake/Yea Residents

[spankaful]

I read about this pile up just last night. Karl and Jayne Amatnieks really need to be applauded for stopping and helping the family of 5 in the first car, risking their lives while other cars just drove straight past them. They showed real courage and saved the life of five people. This day really showed the true spirit of Australians and I am proud to be apart of this country.

[tashamad123]

well when it all happened i was in the shower and my mum ran in and said get out!! we have to evacuate quickly so i ran and put my dressing gown on and then we had to leave as quickly as possible we were just practiacally waiting to die.

[Stacey31233]

I didn't watch the video because it's to hard for me but I am a survivor of the bushfires along with my family. We live in Kinglake West and my Mum is in the Kinglake West CFA. Thankyou to all the firefighters and emergency workers:)

[HoldenMotorsport]

god bless u blokes for doing everything possible to save people from such an inferno.

[Mik3m6232]

I live in australia and i can tell you that the fires are still going 200 dead and i cant even begin how many houses are destroyed! Date of comment: 1st of march 2009